xxii .Yotices for a Young Farmer 



there cannot be a greater mistake. Those who make experi- 

 ments among us, should be very careful to obtain the true- 

 kind of this plant. It is a wise plan to cultivate and bring 

 to the most perfect state, the plants congenial to your soil ; 

 and to avoid forcing, by artificial and expensive operations, 

 the growth of those which only serve a turn and do not per*- 

 manently abide ; or are subject to disease and casualties, 

 which appropriate plants escape. Although Fibrin will grow 

 in most soils, it can only be profitably employed, in moist, or 

 boggy, grounds. 



Be careful to eradicate all poisonous plants, in your pas- 

 tures and fields. You will find in books, what you want in 

 experience, proo.s of the necessity of this precaution; and 

 you will learn the dangers to which cattle are liable in this 

 regard. Some plants are poisonous to some beasts ; though 

 safe and salutary to others. A reasonable knowledge of the 

 useful parts of Botany, without burthening yourself with its 

 endless nomenclature ; would enable you to distinguish plants 

 and their properties. A pocket magnifying Glass should al- 

 ways be at hand ; as not only highly useful in distinguishing 

 plants and the enemies infesting them ; but by it you could 

 examine the particles composing earths ; and ascertain their 

 qualities and uses. This would afford entertainment, whilst 

 it promoted your interests. Nothing is more necessary in 

 the inspection of seed, whether of grain or grasses : you can 

 discover, by your glass, unsoundness or malady in the one ; 

 and mixtures of worthless and injurious seeds in the other. 

 No person should trust the naked eye, when purchasing grass 

 seeds particulaly ; wherein poisonous or pestiferous seeds are 

 frequently mixed ; and many are so minute, as to be invisible 

 to unassisted sight. 



X. Explore your own, and the neighbouring Farms, for 

 clay, marie, peat, earths, &c. for comm on benefit, and emu- 

 lative experiment. Mixing soils of different qualities, im- 

 proves more lastingly than dung. Some acquaintance with 

 Mineralogy, would induce you to provide the necessary and 

 simple apparatus required in analyzing soils ; and Miat de- 

 scribed and recommended by Lord Dundonald in his «* Con- 



